Final Atlantis touch down brings end to American shuttle era

NASA’s Atlantis space shuttle touched down for a final time Thursday, ending its last mission to the International Space Station and bringing down the curtain on an era of American dominance in space exploration.

AP - Space shuttle Atlantis is back on Earth, and the shuttle era is over.

Atlantis and its four astronauts glided through the twilight Thursday and landed in Florida shortly before sunrise.

Hundreds gathered near the runway to welcome Atlantis home - and to bid NASA’s 30-year space shuttle program goodbye.